Mission residents have until October 1 to sign up to receive a street tree in the planting that Friends of the Urban Forest (FUF) is organizing for November 8. Residents who have eligible sites in front of their homes and businesses can save approximately 75% of the total tree planting costs by participating in FUF’s neighborhood tree planting program; most of the costs are covered by grants, government funding and private donations.

More street trees coming to the Mission in November
Residents have until October 1 to sign up for a tree

Mission residents have until October 1 to sign up to receive a street tree in the planting that Friends of the Urban Forest (FUF) is organizing for November 8. Residents who have eligible sites in front of their homes and businesses can save approximately 75% of the total tree planting costs by participating in FUF’s neighborhood tree planting program; most of the costs are covered by grants, government funding and private donations.

FUF is a non-profit organization that helps individuals and neighborhood groups plant and care for street trees and sidewalk gardens throughout San Francisco. FUF plants trees in neighborhoods in which at least 30 trees have been requested. The copayment for a “Tree Package” is $135, and includes the tree, permit processing, site preparation including concrete removal, and three post-planting tree care visits. FUF’s certified arborists make recommendations regarding the tree species that are most suitable for the conditions at each planting site, and the property owner makes the final selection.

The Mission is a moderately leafy neighborhood, but that’s not saying much; with only 13.7% of its land area covered by tree canopy, San Francisco has a sparser urban forest than most other cities, which is surprising given our “green” reputation. In fact, San Francisco ranks only 17th among the 20 most populous U.S. cities in its tree canopy coverage. Worse yet, our urban forest is shrinking, because tree mortality is currently outpacing tree planting; the San Francisco city government has allocated very little funding to its own tree planting program in recent years.

To receive a tree, sign up at http://www.fuf.net/mission/ or contact Caitlin at caitlin@fuf.net or 415-268-0772.

Tree plantings are community events that involve the tree recipients, volunteer tree planters, and FUF staff working side-by-side. They last from 9:00 a.m. to about noon, followed by lunch.